Betty (Dolan) Clancy

Betty Clancy

1929 - 2023 

It is with great sadness, but also joy and gratitude for a life well lived, that we announce that our Mother, Betty (Dolan) Clancy entered the Kingdom of Heaven on February 17, 2023. Although we are broken-hearted, we take great comfort in knowing she has joined her husband and our father, Billy. She worshipped the Lord and led her life based on the teachings of the Church.

Mom was born on April 8, 1929, at the beginning of the great depression. She was the daughter of Frank and Ellen (Desmond) Dolan of Nowlanville. She had an active childhood growing up with her siblings on the family farm. She developed her strong work ethic by doing her daily chores. 

Education was very important to Mom, not only for herself but also for her children. She went to Teacher’s College in Fredericton when she was only 15. After her children were born, Mom and her sisters continued their education on a part-time basis, taking night courses and attending summer school in Bathurst.  She earned both a Bachelor of Education degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree. Mom’s main priority for her children was that we had an education and a good job so we could support ourselves.

In 1950 she married Billy Clancy and moved to Chatham. Mom and Dad had 10 children in 13 years and we were her greatest accomplishment. She had the capacity to love each of us unconditionally. This love extended to her grandchildren who affectionately called her Grammie and her great-grandchildren who adoringly referred to her as Great. It also included her nieces and nephews. Mom’s philosophy on raising children was “there’s no harm in the kiddies.” It’s no wonder we loved and respected her so much.

Mom was a natural-born teacher. She started teaching at the age of 16 in a one-room schoolhouse in Doyle’s Brook where some of her students were older than her. She finished her career teaching Grade 2 at Ian Bailley Elementary. Years after retirement, she would run into students who would tell her she was the best teacher they ever had.

Mom loved life and people. She never missed an occasion to have a celebration whether it was for a birthday, graduation, or a visit from relatives. On Halloween, she had great fun dressing up and playing pranks on her family and friends. She loved curling and was a member of the Chatham Curling Club where she curled in the house league and participated in countless bonspiels. In her later years, she enjoyed watching curling on TV.

Mom had many friends and enjoyed spending time with her neighbors, her fellow teachers, and her pool friends. Dot Creamer was her partner in crime. They had many adventures together. Later in life, Mom enjoyed time with her special friend Albert Walsh. 

Left to mourn her passing are her sister Louise Werstiuk and her children, Ken (Mary), Joe (Patty), Bill (Janet), Beth, Barb, Lourdes (Mike), Carmel (Pat), Donald and Kathleen (Daryl). Also left to carry on without Mom’s wisdom are her grandchildren, Dana, Erin, Danny, Julie, Matthew, Terry, Theresa, Brendan, Kyla, Jonathan, Kathlin, Chris L, Kristen, Chris F, Brian, Katie, Pat, Liam, Kathleen, Rianna, Carleen, Madison, Ryan, and Alexis. Mom will also be missed by her great-grandchildren Owen, Lucas, Avery, Mason, Brenna, Emmett, Kate, Bennett, Charlie, Max, William, Jeffrey, Anderson, Josie, Emma, Lennox, Natalie, Leah, Norah, Sayla, Findley, Rowan, and Austin.

Ready to greet her on her journey in the after-life are her husband Billy, her son Paul, her grandchildren Geoffrey and Jerimiah, her parents Ellen and Frank, and her siblings Mary MacBride, Desmond, Celia Lordon, Alice Lynch, Dorothy McCarthy, Jimmy, Leonard, Theresa, Lourdes Connell, and Frank. 

We would like to thank all the people who helped make Mom’s last days peaceful, NB Extra-Mural, Faye, Kate, Cole, Michelle, Patsy, and Karen. Your kindness and compassion are greatly appreciated.

Visitation was held at Adam’s Funeral Home, 140 King St., Miramichi, NB on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, from 2:00 - 4:00 pm and 7:00 – 9:00 pm. The funeral mass was celebrated at St. Michael’s Basilica on Thursday, February 23 at 11:00 am with The Reverend Father Antonio Reyes as Celebrant.  Music for the service was provided by Jacqueline Allain.  The entrance hymn was "Here I Am Lord".  Additional hymns included:  "Into Your Hands", "Be Not Afraid", "Gentle Woman", "Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace", with the recessional being "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling". The Eulogy was by son, Bill Clancy.  The First Reading was by nephew, David Dolan.  The Second Reading was by niece, Janet Zilm.  Prayers of the Faithful were by granddaughters: Madison Matchett and Julie Taylor.  The Active Pallbearers were grandsons:  Dana Lohnes, Danny Gallant, Matthew Clancy, Jonathan Webber, Liam Clancy, and Ryan Sullivan.  Interment will be in St. Michael’s Cemetery later in the spring.

As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to St. Michael’s Basilica or a charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements are entrusted to Adams Funeral Home Ltd., 140 King St., Miramichi, NB, telephone (506) 773-3492. Additionally, messages of condolence may be shared online to www.adamsfh.ca 

“Where Dedicated People Care”

Est. 1956

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Betty (Dolan) Clancy, please visit our Tree Store.